SPARC4: A Simultaneous Polarimeter and Rapid Camera in 4 Bands

Abstract

We present the basic concept of a new astronomical instrument: SPARC4 - Simultaneous Polarimeter and Rapid Camera in 4 bands. SPARC4 combines in one instrument: (i) photometric and polarimetric modes; (ii) sub-second time-resolution in photometric mode and excellent time-resolution in polarimetric mode; (iii) simultaneous imaging in four broad-bands for both modes. This combination will make SPARC4 a unique facility for ground-based optical observatories. Presently, the project is in its conceptual design phase.

Poster presented at "Stellar Polarimetry: From birth to death". This article has been submitted to AIP Conference Proceedings. After it is published, it will be found at http://www.aip.org